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If your boat doesn't have a well and you are in choppy conditions I would think you would need the longest shaft that will fit. I had many different 2 stroke engines and they were very reliable and lighter than the present 4 strokes. Our 6HP 4 stroke Tohatsu weighs about 60 lbs, very close to what our 15HP 2 stroke weighed, IIRC. I can only speak from my experience with a Coronado 25 on SF Bay. We could have lived with the 6HP but in addition to sailing on the Bay We made a lot of LONG trips out into the open ocean for salmon fishing. For a slight weight gain we had more than twice the power going from 6HP to 15HP. As mentioned earlier, 9.9HP probably would have been OK

You could try the 6HP 4 stroke or look for a good used 9.9 HP 2 stroke. I would assume most of the used motors in your area are fresh water only motors. You might try a search for an Irwin 25 users group for more input.

Paul T

Good input. I would definitely look at going with an extra long or long shaft. My last boat had an inboard OMC Sail drive. This was never something I had to think about.

01-14-2013 05:21 PM

dabnis

Re: 6hp Tohatsu for Irwin 25

If your boat doesn't have a well and you are in choppy conditions I would think you would need the longest shaft that will fit. I had many different 2 stroke engines and they were very reliable and lighter than the present 4 strokes. Our 6HP 4 stroke Tohatsu weighs about 60 lbs, very close to what our 15HP 2 stroke weighed, IIRC. I can only speak from my experience with a Coronado 25 on SF Bay. We could have lived with the 6HP but in addition to sailing on the Bay We made a lot of LONG trips out into the open ocean for salmon fishing. For a slight weight gain we had more than twice the power going from 6HP to 15HP. As mentioned earlier, 9.9HP probably would have been OK

You could try the 6HP 4 stroke or look for a good used 9.9 HP 2 stroke. I would assume most of the used motors in your area are fresh water only motors. You might try a search for an Irwin 25 users group for more input.

Our experience in San Francisco Bay, and outside in the open ocean, was high winds with opposing currents causing a high, short chop that would really make our 6HP struggle. The 15 HP would punch right through to the point of beating the boat pretty hard. If you just have the wind to contend with and not too much wave action, the 6HP might br OK, if you are not in a hurry

Paul T

On the West side of the state where I will be sailing, we do get some serious chop on the Lake Michigan.

This Irwin belonged to my father, and I sailed it as a kid. Then he sold it when he became sick (over a decade ago). I found it last fall on the other side of the state, and had to buy it. I have been looking through photos and have not found one that has a picture of the motor. If I could figure out what he had, then I would know for sure what to get. He always seemed to go for the smallest motor that would do the job.

What are the waters like where you are? I'll be sailing an inland lake off of lake Michigan, as well as Lake Michigan. The waters in Lake Michigan can be real rough at times, but that does not stop me from sailing.

Like I said I need this motor to get me out of the marina, to point me into the wind to get my main sail up, and to get through the channel that connects the inland lake to the Big lake. Usually there is a head wind in the channel.

Our experience in San Francisco Bay, and outside in the open ocean, was high winds with opposing currents causing a high, short chop that would really make our 6HP struggle. The 15 HP would punch right through to the point of beating the boat pretty hard. If you just have the wind to contend with and not too much wave action, the 6HP might br OK, if you are not in a hurry

I have an 8 HP Tohatsu and it is way more than enough for the Irwin. I would think the 6 HP will do just fine especially if is the sail pro model with the hi thrust prop and the alternator package. The 8 HP that I have has an electric starter which is a nice feature but not absolutely necessary.

...@

What are the waters like where you are? I'll be sailing an inland lake off of lake Michigan, as well as Lake Michigan. The waters in Lake Michigan can be real rough at times, but that does not stop me from sailing.

Like I said I need this motor to get me out of the marina, to point me into the wind to get my main sail up, and to get through the channel that connects the inland lake to the Big lake. Usually there is a head wind in the channel.

I just sold my Cal 27 and picked up the Irwin. Everyone is telling me to get a 9.9 or 15 even. Those numbers seemed to big to me.

6 Hp xtra long shaft with thrusting prop sounds like a good choice. Tohatsu is now offering a 5 year warranty as well.

I had a Coronado 25 at about 4,500 lbs, with a 6HP 2 stroke. It was OK in calm conditions but marginal for the rough conditions of San Francisco Bay. Went to a 15 HP 2 stroke, same size and weight as the 9.9, and it was all I needed. The 9.9 probably would have been enough. Not familiar with your boat but the longest shaft that will fit will get the power to the ground.